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Glenn.Garvey · 08-01-2021, 08:07 PM

I am looking for some advice, I am replacing the Bargman L300 door handle with a Bauer BP-12RV, very similar in dimension but much better made. The problem is the strike plate. It is behind the door frame and it appears I have to remove the frame partially to get it out, make the cut out in the frame larger for the large strike plate due to the built in dead bolt, and put the frame back with out damage. Has any one done this and do you have suggestions? Thanks

Massparanoia · 08-01-2021, 08:08 PM

Can you use a dremel and slice along the leading edge of the door, unscrew it, and then slide it out?

Then make your cuts for the new one and install it.

CamJam1 · 08-02-2021, 10:28 AM

Will be following as I need to do this too.

Glenn.Garvey · 08-02-2021, 04:30 PM

Well, got it done. Removed the bottom 5 screws in the threshold, plus the plastic wedge on the bottom left (rear). Removed the white weatherstrip that fits in a track on the door jamb frame. Removed all of the screws on the left side (rear) of the jamb. Gentle pried up the jamb thru the mid section of the jamb. About 3-4 feet. The threshold seems to keep the left side jamb in place at the bottom. Once the jamb was loose, I was able to get the strike plate out, wiggle the plate, rotate the jamb. Cut the jamb out to fit the new strike plate using a dremel with a grinding disk on the top of the existing cut out, the Bauer handle lines up with the existing strike plate, and it could work if you did not want the built in dead bolt lock to work, so you are cutting out the jamb for the new plate with deadbolt hole.
On the door you will need to drill out the holes in the metal door frame for the two pins to 1/2 inch, the Bauer handle has the pins press fit into the handle body, they do not screw out like the Bargman. Then I had to slightly enlarge the hole for the handle to allow the deadbolt assembly to also fit in the hole. Then measured up from a centerline of the pin holes to drill a 3/8 hole for the dead bolt thru the door, Install the handle first to make sure you know where the deadbolt is and where you want the hole. Squared off the hole with a file, test fit everything, then closed the door to center the strike plate, tightened everything up and tested operation. The cut out for the handle in the door is large, I ended up with a very small gap in the upper rear outside corner of the handle, and the inside edge closest to the jamb, both covered easily with caulk.
Then taped my caulk lines, put a small bead of caulk between the edge of the jamb and the wall of the motorhome, put all the screws in the jamb and the threshold in to squeeze out the caulk, tooled the caulk line. tested the door again and done.

Works great. Pictures below

CamJam1 · 08-10-2021, 11:30 PM

Thanks for the write-up, Glenn. So are you saying that the strike plate only needs to be changed if you are using the Bauer's built in deadbolt? I plan on keeping my existing deadbolt so wouldn't need the Bauer's. Sounds like this might be a good solution with minimal fuss if I am understanding you correctly.

Glenn.Garvey · 08-12-2021, 09:20 AM

Yes, the plates are the same, except for the deadbolt receiver on top. You will still need to drill out the two holes for the pins on the door, they are press fit on the Bauer and screw fit on the L300.